Baylin is a proud SDA member who understands what it means to work hard. At just 18, he was juggling two supermarket jobs simultaneously to make ends meet, working at both Coles and Woolworths while trying to cover basic costs like rent and transportation.
The reason was simple, yet stark: even though he was doing the same work and carrying the same responsibilities as adult team members, Baylin was paid significantly less because junior pay rates still apply to 18 to 20-year-olds under the relevant retail awards. Under those rules, an 18-year-old earns just 70 per cent of the adult rate.
Rather than stay silent about an issue that affected his life and the lives of many other young workers, Baylin chose to share his experience and speak out about unfair junior wages. Through his story, he is helping highlight the unfair gap between the cost of living and the wages young adults receive, and why so many are calling on the Fair Work Commission to ensure anyone aged 18 or over is paid the full adult wage.
His experience reflects the lived reality behind the broader debate about fairness and respect at work for young SDA members. Baylin’s story is helping spark important conversations about respect at work, knowing your rights and the importance of fair pay for young SDA members.